Child development Jobs in Canada

The Position

The Supportive Child Development Worker (SCD Worker) will provide support systems for children who have additional needs. You will work effectively with an integrated team, as well as independently, to implement child-specific strategies, activities and plans to support children with a developmental delay in physical, cognitive, social or behavioural areas to fully participate in a childcare setting.

The Candidate:

General Responsibilities

• Oversee and provide direct floor support and supervision to mem7iman Child Development Centre Programs and the SCD One-to-One Support workers.
• Work alongside families, staff and intervention specialists to address behaviour challenges /concerns, formulate care plans, assess one-to-one support needs, make referrals to appropriate early intervention agency, etc.
• Work with the Floor Manager or their designate to stay informed about relevant legislation and policy changes that meet the required federal and provincial regulations and licensing requirements for the program, sharing this information with staff as appropriate.
• Support families in making informed decisions for their child by sharing knowledge and expertise in recommended practices for early intervention.
• Complete necessary early intervention assessments and documents as necessary to determine eligibility for SCD with families, childcare providers and professionals to determine the appropriate level of support required for each case (ASQ’s, AESP-3s, etc.).
• Facilitate the development and implementation of Individual Service Plans for children who have additional needs outlined by the families and the early intervention team.
• Encourage guardians to be strong advocates for their child to receive the best diagnostic assessments and medical-related services.
• Support Early Years Programs in developing and implementing inclusive settings for children with additional needs.
• Work with the Floor Manager to ensure Centre policies and procedures, as well as Child Care Licensing regulations, are shared with and understood by staff, contractors, volunteers, students, and families as appropriate.
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of current early care and learning practices and trends.
• Maintain a resource library for community caregivers and families.
• Provide floor coverage to maintain or enhance staff-to-child ratios as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times regarding children, families, community members and staff.

Licensing Compliance

• Work with the Floor Manager to ensure all SCD One-to-One Support Workers are meeting the required provincial Child Care licensing regulations and requirements for the Centre.
• Support the Floor Manager to maintain accurate and confidential records as per Child Care Licensing requirements, including attendance, immunization, and any other applicable records.

Program Planning and Administration

• Regularly update and upload necessary documents to the required system about individual child caseloads, encounters, phone calls, text messages, incidents, records, assessments, early intervention data, etc.
• Facilitate and support SCD One-to-One Support workers with program planning, with a focus on providing culturally affirming and meaning-making experiences appropriate to the needs and interests of each child on the SCD caseload.
• Support SCD One-to-One Support workers to develop inclusive daily activity schedules that include a balance of active/quiet, indoor/outdoor, and individual/group activities while incorporating child-directed activities, care routines and transition times.
• Support SCD One-to-One Support Workers in providing a warm, safe, and caring environment that is kept orderly, clean, and appealing; the environment should allow children to grow and explore.
• Check in with SCD One-to-One Support Workers regularly throughout the day to provide support. This includes providing break coverage as needed.
• Work with the Floor Manager to oversee SCD One-to-One Support Workers' timesheet administration, confirming hours and providing signatures as needed.
• Collaborate with the Floor Manager to review and approve leave requests for SCD One-to-One Support Workers, ensuring that children with additional needs receive support each day.

Staff Management, Support & Supervision

• Provide SCD One-to-One Support Workers with direction and support as required, ensuring staff adhere to Centre policies and procedures and addressing questions, concerns and inquiries.
• Work with the Floor Manager to ensure staff are familiar with and follow other shíshálh Nation policies, including HR, IT, emergency procedures, etc.
• Work in collaboration with HR and the Floor Manager to recruit and fill vacant SCD One-to-One Support Workers positions and address future SCD one-to-one worker requirements
• Provide clear and concise communication to all SCD One-to-One Support Workers staff regarding upcoming trainings, Pro-D Days, and field trips.
• Works with the Floor Manager to support SCD One-to-One Support Workers to practice in ways that align with the ECEBC Code of Ethics, First Peoples Principles of Learning, Aboriginal Head Start Principles and Guidelines, BC Early Learning Framework, Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, and other guiding documents.
• Convene regularly scheduled meetings with all SCD One-to-One Support Workers, collaborating with the Floor Manager to set the agenda and reviewing minutes for accuracy.
• Address SCD One-to-One Support Workers' concerns and issues and deal with them in a timely manner with the support of the Floor Manager and/or Human Resources.
• Provide support to SCD One-to-One Support Workers to encourage effective conflict resolution, seeking out advice and direction of the Floor Manager or Education Manager as appropriate.
• Ensure SCD One-to-One Support Workers are knowledgeable about their legal duty to report suspected child abuse or neglect, including shíshálh Nation procedures, and support staff in making reports as necessary.

Training and Professional Development

• Participate in relevant conferences, training workshops and related courses and meetings for professional development as required or directed.
• Attend workshops, management meetings, etc., as required and directed.

Community Relationships and Outreach

• Coordinate and support visits by external and internal agencies, support workers, and service providers (e.g. Pediatrician, PHN, SLP, OT, PT, art therapy, etc.).
• Liaise, network and maintain relationships with external agencies and organizations (e.g. Vancouver Coastal Health, Ministry of Child and Family Development, BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, Early Childhood Educators of BC, School Districts, etc.).
• Research appropriate agencies for relevant referrals, resources and available community programs.

Note: This role may require the completion of other tasks and duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities:

• Minimum of Early Childhood Education Diploma with Infant/Toddler and Special Needs, or Infant Development & Supported Child Development Diploma from the University of British Columbia, or equivalent education and work-related experience.
• A valid Early Childhood Educator with Infant/Toddler and Special Needs Certificate received through the ECEBC Registry must be maintained throughout employment.
• Previous management/supervisory experience within a childcare Centre or other early learning and care environment is considered an asset.
• Must be able to work well with children with diverse abilities and identify effective strategies for early intervention and case planning.
• Knowledge of early care and learning theories, wise practices and emerging trends, social determinants of health, and supportive, inclusive, preventative programming.
• Knowledge of key guiding documents, including First Peoples Principles of Learning, BC Aboriginal Head Start Principles and Guidelines, Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Framework, BC Early Years Framework and the ECEBC Code of Ethics.
• Knowledge of needs specific to First Nation populations in the area of early care and learning
• Knowledge and appreciation of shíshálh culture, traditions, and teachings and understanding of the importance of culture in the growth, health and wellbeing of young children
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to listen and respond appropriately.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to adapt quickly to meet program needs
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License, with a clean Driver’s abstract (Class 4 considered an asset).
• Access to a properly ensured vehicle for business use in good working conditions and able to transport children, parents or staff.
• Valid Criminal Record Check, including clearance to work with vulnerable populations.
• Valid Level 1 First Aid certificate (Emergency Child Care First Aid and CPR) must be obtained within the first 3 months of employment.
• Immunization Record on file.
• A recent TB Test.
• Must be physically able to sit, climb, kneel or crouch and be able to lift/move at least 25 pounds.